How have I used my FAITH and my WORK to lose the weight? What does that look like? Traditional weight loss methods usually just focus on diet and exercise. Eat less and move more. After years of failing at these traditional weight loss methods, I knew there had to be another way.
Hiding The Pain
Underneath all the fat, I was hiding deep pain. To the world, I had major accomplishments: college graduate, computer consultant, wife, mother, and homeschooler. But after celebrating all of these accomplishments, I was still morbidly obese. I didn’t just wake up and weigh 289 pounds (my highest weight. I experienced most of my weight gain after my father died of cancer.
Losing my father, as a freshman in college created a void that food easily filled. I didn’t know how to cope with the pain and trauma of losing him. But I did know how to anesthetize the pain with food. Food was within my control. I could use it to make myself happy, no matter what happened in the world. So I overindulged.
I learned to use this method of “healing” for any pain and trauma I encountered in life. And life sure provided many opportunities for me to apply this “balm.” But instead of providing healing, I had gained physical weight, as well as spiritual, mental and emotional weights.
Spiritually, I lacked the faith to believe that I could really lose the weight, for once and for all. Mentally, I was paralyzed by fear of failure. Emotionally, I was drained from my prior failed attempts at losing the weight.
Spiritually, I lacked the faith to believe that I could really lose the weight, for once and for all. Mentally, I was paralyzed by fear of failure. Emotionally, I was drained from my prior failed attempts at losing the weight.
My Awakening
After losing 94 pounds from 2006-2007, and then regaining the weight (and more) in 2010 – 2015, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was extremely depressed. I felt like I didn’t matter, I had no purpose. I stopped believing that I could change. Despair, disappointment, discouragement and defeat were my common disposition.
But God was faithful, even when I wasn’t faithful to Him. God still gently spoke to me daily. He reminded me of His unconditional love for me. He reminded me of my purpose; to help other women be set free from these spiritual, emotional, mental and physical weights.
But in order to fulfill my purpose, I had to realize and walk in my own freedom! I continued to ignore Him, until one day I couldn’t think of any more excuses. I had to finally laugh at myself and simply surrender. Day 1 of my journey of transformation began on April 20th, 2015. And I’ve been moving forward ever since!
My Faith AND My Work
After years of having an unhealthy mindset towards and food and exercise, I have to create a new healthy mindset and habits. When I focused on the symptoms, the food and exercise habits, I always reverted back to my normal unhealthy mindset and habits. The weight loss didn’t last.
But this time, I am experiencing an inside-out transformation. I am re-training my thoughts daily so that I can make these lasting healthy lifestyle changes. I spend the first moments and last moments of each day renewing my mind. Here’s more info about my routine.
When I am faithful to dedicate this time to my development, I am able to be more mindful of my food choices and desire to workout. Since starting this journey, I can see evidence of my mindset changes towards food and exercise so I can do my work.
I drink more water, prepare and cook healthier meals because I can see the value added to my health. I track my meals via MyFitnessPal because I love receiving the information to help me move forward on my journey. I work out because I love seeing my stamina and strength increase.
My journey of transformation has not been smooth sailing! I’ve had many highs and lows. But I am grateful that I am learning to embrace the process. I am making these changes for life; not for the short term.
So, when I’m losing 1 – 2 pounds per week, I am excited! Losing 48 pounds is a huge accomplishment. I know that as long as I do my part (use my faith AND work), God will do His part (to manifest the actual inside-out transformation).